Self Led Field Studies Residential Trips

Study the famous geography and history of South West England with a self led field studies residential trip on the Jurassic Coast. At Cumulus Outdoors we provide teaching provision for primary school and secondary school field trips, but can accommodate further education students on a self-guided basis. Simply bring your own teaching staff and explore the historic area at your leisure to suit your learning objectives and curriculum. Our experienced team can provide the accommodation, facilities and tasty home cooked meals.

After a long day conducting field studies on the Jurassic Coast, Cumulus Outdoors residential centre is the perfect place for students to relax, re-energise and socialise with peers. We have large dormitory accommodation with en suites, recreational areas and a classroom can for evening learning sessions. Full catering options with pack lunch can be arranged if required. You can even choose to add a range of outdoor adventure activities to your self led field studies residential.

Our self-guided field studies trip option is well suited to sixth forms, colleges or universities that require a comfortable base from which to explore beauty spots on the South West Coast.

Your bespoke self led field studies trip in Dorset

We provide field studies teaching provision for students at GCSE Level and A-Level (KS3-6). Beyond that age, we offer self led field studies trips on the Jurassic Coast, where your group brings their own teachers and uses our residential centre as a base for your exploration.

Cumulus Outdoors have an enviable reputation for providing bespoke residential trips on the Jurassic Coast. Whether you would like to use us as a base for exploring the area and include full catering, or you’d prefer to add an activity package to your educational trip, we can gear your residential to your requirements.

We are extremely lucky to be situated on the Jurassic Coast, and to have our residential centre conveniently located nearby to a range of beauty spots that are ideal for field studies visits. Our vast knowledge of the area means we can advise you of the best locations for your studies.

Taking lecture learning to the great outdoors is the perfect way to inspire your young adults, boost morale and improve their written work. After years of providing self led field studies trips on the Jurassic Coast, we have found that adding real world context to history, geology and geography theory enriches classroom learning and can improve assignment and exam results.

Field Studies locations on the Jurassic Coast

Unlock 150 million years of history on The Jurassic Coast – England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for many key discoveries about dinosaurs and the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods, the area is considered to be one of the most important sites for scientific research in the world.

We feel privileged to be based in Swanage – the ground zero of geological discovery – just a stone’s throw from Old Harry Rocks. There are so many nearby beauty spots to visit in Dorset. All of the below are within easy reach of our residential centre.

Lulworth Cove‘s famous horse shoe shaped cove features an extremely interesting landscape and rock formations. Visit the likes of Stair Hole to witness the famed limestone of Lulworth Crumple in a way that few others have.

Durdle Door‘s limestone arch is arguably the most iconic landmark on the Jurassic Coast. Your students will love the exciting opportunity of conducting field studies at this famous stretch of coastline.

Studland Bay is a beautiful, unspoilt gem on the Jurassic Coast. Boasting four sandy beaches, clear blue waters and an ancient woodland full of wildlife, there is so much to explore and study at Studland – making it the perfect destination for a self led field studies day out on the Jurassic Coast.

Swanage Bay marks the most Easterly point of the Jurassic Coast, and the home of our residential centre. This is the closest stretch of coastline to your accommodation. You have many opportunitues to conduct field studies at the bay, as well as on the South West Coast path, which connects Swanage to other beauty spots nearby. We must also recommend a visit to the seaside resort and some fish and chips by the water here!

Dancing Ledge has an interesting history and an iconic formation. There is much debate on how the flat rock got its name. The only certainty here though, is that Dancing Ledge offers fantastic views and opportunities to study rock formations that were once used for quarrying Purbeck Stone.

Explore the local area

There are a range of award-winning attractions and activities in the local area. When you’re not studying the famous coastline or enjoying an adventure activity with Cumulus Outdoors, there is much opportunity to discover even more that the coast has to offer.

Your group will love kicking back and relaxing with a trip to Swanage Steam Railway or Durlston Country Park. Or, why not hire our mountain bikes and navigate the rollercoaster bike trails of the Isle of Purbeck? The South West Coast path would also make a fantastic day out. Swanage marks the start point of the giant 630-mile National Trail – so it’s safe to say that you can enjoy as long or short a walk as is suitable for your group. After a long day exploring the area and paying witness to the stunning scenery, you’ll love coming back to a hearty meal and your cosy accommodation at our residential centre.

There are also many more opportunities to learn more about the history and wildlife in the area. We recommend visits to Brownsea Island, RSPB Nature Reserve, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, to name but a few.